“Split the Sky” Book Review: A Powerful, Visionary YA That Asks the Hard Questions
- Kim Bartosch
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
Marie Arnold’s Split the Sky is the kind of book that leaves an imprint. Set in a racially tense Texas sundown town, this YA novel follows 15-year-old Lala Russell—a gifted cellist with inherited visions of the future—as she’s forced to confront questions about justice, identity, and sacrifice. With themes that echo the civil rights movement and modern protest culture, this short but fierce book aims high and delivers a story that is as timely as it is emotionally stirring. While it sometimes struggles under the weight of its ambition, Split the Sky is a standout YA pick for readers who crave meaning, momentum, and moral complexity.
Thank you to the author and Little, Brown and Company for the book and my honest review. This book tour is brought to you by Toppling Stacks Tours.
✋ Top 5 Reasons to Read Split the Sky by Marie Arnold
1. It Tackles Big, Important Themes Without Sugarcoating
From systemic racism and grief to generational trauma and social activism, Split the Sky doesn’t shy away from heavy, real-world issues. If you love YA that leans into relevant topics and forces readers to ask tough questions, this book delivers.
2. A Fresh Take on Magical Realism in YA
Lala’s inherited gift of foresight adds a compelling magical realism element that deepens the emotional stakes. It’s not fantasy—it’s prophecy with real-world consequences, woven into the narrative in a way that feels natural and urgent.
3. Unique Musical Representation
How often do you read about a Black girl playing classical cello and aiming for a top-tier music academy? The focus on music—especially classical instruments like the cello and viola—is rare and refreshing, adding richness to Lala’s identity.
4. A Complex, Thought-Provoking Moral Dilemma
Can one life be sacrificed to save many? That’s the haunting question at the heart of this novel. Lala’s visions push her into an impossible ethical situation, and the way the story explores this dilemma is both bold and emotionally layered.
5. It’s Short But Impactful
At under 300 pages, this is a quick read that still manages to feel full of purpose. The pacing is tight (sometimes too tight), but the message resonates. Perfect for readers who want a fast, meaningful book that doesn’t waste time.
🎻 A Young Black Cellist with the Weight of the World
Marie Arnold’s Split the Sky is a compelling and courageous young adult novel that isn’t afraid to ask: What does it mean to fight for justice, and at what cost?
Set in Davey, a modern-day Texas sundown town, Split the Sky follows Lala Russell, a talented 15-year-old Black cellist with dreams of escaping her small-town life to attend a prestigious music academy. But Lala’s story goes far beyond music—she’s inherited a spiritual gift from her grandmother: visions of the future that always come true.
When she sees a Black teenage boy being fatally shot by a white homeowner, Lala must decide whether to intervene, even if doing so could prevent a larger movement for justice from taking root. In this emotionally complex setup, Arnold forces both Lala and the reader to wrestle with the cost of change, sacrifice, and survival in a world that often devalues Black lives.
⏳ Big Ideas, Short Book
There’s no doubt Arnold swings big here—racial injustice, activism, generational trauma, grief, community resistance, personal sacrifice, and even a sprinkle of romance. For a book under 300 pages, that’s a lot of ground to cover.
At times, it’s almost too much. Plot threads weave in and out quickly, and there are moments when you wish the story had more breathing room. Some of the emotional beats—particularly those involving side characters or the budding romance—don’t land with full clarity. You feel the intent, but not always the impact.
Still, there’s something powerful in Arnold’s ambition. Rather than dilute the themes, the fast pacing gives the story a sense of urgency. Like Lala, we don’t have the luxury of sitting still when lives are on the line.
💬 What Worked
Strong, timely themes: The parallels to real-world racial injustice and protest movements are impossible to ignore—and that’s the point.
Fresh representation: A Black girl classical musician with prophetic visions? Yes, please. This is the kind of nuanced, layered character we need more of in YA.
Moral complexity: Lala’s dilemma—save one life or allow a movement to grow through tragedy—is deeply thought-provoking.
Accessible prose: Arnold’s writing is approachable and heartfelt, with occasional poetic moments that linger.
💭 What Fell Short
Underdeveloped characters: Some side characters feel like archetypes rather than full individuals. You’re left wanting to know more about them.
Pacing issues: With so many threads packed into a relatively short book, the story sometimes rushes past moments that deserve deeper exploration.
A predictable (but still effective) ending: While the conclusion might not surprise seasoned readers, it still delivers a satisfying emotional payoff.
📚 Final Thoughts
Split the Sky is a bold and emotional story about the weight of legacy, the cost of action, and the bravery it takes to speak out—even when your voice shakes. While not without flaws, the novel’s heart, message, and unique voice make it a standout in the current YA landscape.
Marie Arnold delivers a story that dares to be both personal and political, spiritual and realistic. It may try to do too much at times, but its core message—about the power of youth, community, and making impossible choices—is one that sticks with you.
If you love YA books that blend social justice with a dash of magical realism, or if you're a fan of The Hate U Give or Dear Martin, this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
📖 Recommended For:
Fans of Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, and Nina LaCour. Readers interested in Black stories, social activism, music, magical realism, or thought-provoking moral dilemmas.
About the book:
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: September 9, 2025
Genre: YA Fiction
Rep: Black, BIPOC, Autistic, Neurodivergent
Synopsis:
In this haunting story about family, legacy, and sacrifice, a young Black girl living in a Texas sundown town must find the courage to stand up for what’s right even when it means facing impossible choices. Perfect for fans of Nic Stone and The Hate U Give.
Fifteen-year-old Lala Russell is doing a bad job at being a Black girl. She has social justice fatigue, and she doesn’t want to join the Black Alliance Club at her school (even though she agrees with them). A gifted cellist, she’s focused on leaving her small town and accomplishing her goals and dreams. But Lala has also inherited another gift, her grandmother Sadie’s gift of foresight. She has visions of the future—and they always come true.
In Davey, the Texas sundown town she lives in, there is growing tension, as a black organization attempts to diversify the nearly all-white part of town. Amidst violent protests, Lala has a vision. In it, a Black teenage boy is shot in the chest by a white homeowner. Now Lala has a find the boy and save him.
But Grandma Sadie has a vision too. After the boy’s murder, a wave of protests breaks out. And the outrage over the casual and frequent slaying of unarmed Black children will result in unprecedented change. Change that won’t happen if the vision is altered. Lala is faced with an existential question—can she allow herself to sacrifice one life to, in turn, save many? And if so, whose life will she choose?
Content Warning: racism, murder, grief, racial injustice
About the author:
Marie Arnold was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York alongside her extended family. Marie enjoys creating stories full of adventure and wonder that center on girls of color. When she’s not writing, she’s adding to her insanely long Netflix queue and trying not to order pizza. She lives in Los Angeles, California. She is the author of The Year I Flew Away and I Rise.
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